About me
PLEASE NOTE: I am currently working online only due to breaking my hip in March. I will update when I am back to face to face sessions!
Are you looking for a therapist for your child? Does your child struggle with anxiety? Perhaps your child is having issues with self-harm, or is on the verge of being excluded from school? Does your child have trauma that they need to unpack in a safe and understanding environment?
My name is Sam, I am an experienced counsellor working predominantly with children and young people (and adults too!) and I am based in Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire. I also see clients online.
I may not look like your typical counsellor, but that’s the point! I have been hired solely because I don’t look how people expect a therapist to look. I am an outside-the-box thinker, a bit of a rebel, and I can still provide a safe and nurturing space to heal, gain clarity and rebuild self-esteem. I provide my clients with compassionate support that helps them navigate life’s challenges.
In a session with me, clients can let their words hit the air without fear of judgement or punishment, in the presence of another who has fought many of their own battles and sees them do the same. Crying, swearing, raging, or simply just talking about the day – all is welcome here.
My lived experience is integral to my practice and my focus is on building the relationship between myself and my client, in order to create a safe space in which to explore their anxieties, troubles, traumas, and other things that are otherwise difficult to address.
Finding the right counsellor or therapist for your child can be tricky. This is why I like to offer a phone call prior to any booking being made so that we can have a chat and you can decide if you think I might be the right person to help your child or teenager.
The same goes for my adult clients too – a free, no obligation chat on the phone can be very helpful in deciding whether or not to work with me.
If you feel I might be a good fit for you or your child, or to have an informal discussion about your needs, please use the contact form at the top of this page. I look forward to speaking with you.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am Gestalt trained. I take a flexible approach to counselling, adjusting and adapting to the individual needs of each client.
I am ASIST trained (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) and qualified to give suicide first aid to those who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings.
I am BACP registered and I follow their code of conduct which can be found on their website. I am also fully insured, and in regular supervision with a senior therapist.
I also worked in a school between 2022-2025 so I have experience of working with young people aged between 11 and 16.
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
My primary focus within my practice is on working with children and young people. I worked as a school counsellor between 2022 and 2025 and during this time I supported many young people between the ages of 11 and 17 through a variety of different issues, including but not limited to:
- Anxiety and Depression
- Panic attacks
- Abuse and Trauma
- Bullying and friendship problems
- Suicidal ideation
- Self-harm
- ADHD and Autism diagnosis
- Exam stress
- School avoidance/refusal
- Gender dysphoria/questioning
I have also attended CIN meetings, CP meetings, worked alongside the Access to Education for Travellers and Refugees team as well as social services. I have helped support parents seeking ADHD/ASD diagnoses for their children. I have supported children through permanent exclusions from school and continued to support them at PRUs. I was a staff leader for the Pride Club which offered a safe space and support for LGBTQ+ children.
Therapies offered
Fees
£65.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I can offer concessions on a case by case basis, please get in touch to discuss.
